Pipe and conduit wear detection system

• US 9,689,771 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2014
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Progressive Products, Inc. (Haniel Family)
• Original Assignee: Progressive Products, Inc. (Haniel Family)
• Inventors: Hinton, Stephen T., Allison, Todd N.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOOK, JAMES F
• Application Number:
  US14/303,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20140366975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 138 36, 138104, 138146
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 57/06 against wear F16L57/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/045 with electrical detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/047 with photo-electrical detection means, e.g. using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/165 by means of cables or similar elongated devices, e.g. tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/18 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49764 with testing or indicating

Abstract

A pipe section, such as a pipe elbow, coated with a ceramic coating containing a fusible link displaced within. The link includes two exposed testing leads which are connected to a sensor which sends a signal across the link. Over time, the pipe section and the coating are worn away by material flowing through the pipe. Eventually the fusible link is severed due to the wear, signaling the sensor to send an alert, notifying that the pipe section needs to be replaced. The method of manufacture includes coating a standard pipe section with a ceramic coating, displacing a fusible link therein, and curing the coating. The coating may contain any number of fusible links in any conceivable arrangement.

Claims

1. A pipe section comprising:

a piece of pipe partially coated in a wear-resistant coating;

a fusible link displaced within said wear-resistant coating, said fusible link including a first exposed test lead and a second exposed test lead located at a respective end of said fusible link;

a sensor electrically connected to each of said first and second exposed test leads, said sensor configured to send a signal across said fusible link;

wherein said sensor detects wear correlating with changes of levels of said signal measured across said fusible link;

wherein said sensor is further configured to signal when said fusible link is broken;

wherein said fusible link is a pressurized airline; and

wherein said sensor is an air pressure monitor.

2. The pipe section of claim 1, wherein said pipe section is a metal pipe elbow.

3. The pipe section of claim 1, wherein said wear-resistant coating is a ceramic coating.

4. The pipe section of claim 1, further comprising:

a second fusible link displaced within said wear-resistant coating, said second fusible link including a third exposed test lead and a fourth exposed test lead located at a respective end of said second fusible link.